What carry gun should I get?

[Vanquished]

First off let me say. I am in Massachusetts, I'm not entirely sure what guns aren't Mass compliant (except for Taurus and Glock) but if I can get a range of guns to look for at the stores it would be helpful (I also don't think I can buy one online and have it shipped to an FFL in MA, but I could be wrong on that).
I am looking for a carry pistol (compact, no revolvers) in the $300-400 price range (or cheaper), and I was thinking maybe a 9mm? I just want the ammo to be cheaper than my .40 but not a .22. I've been to a couple gun stores in MA and I've been sorely disappointed at the lack of variety available, they seem to have only a few guns meeting my specifications but I plan on going to Four Seasons Firearms tomorrow and looking around/buying. A list of "good" guns meeting my desired specs would be very helpful while browsing tomorrow.

Thanks in advance!
-Vanq

 

[Danmc]

I carry these two, both 9mm, and have not had any failures so far: Ruger LC9 is nice if you don't mind a thumb safety and magazine disconnect. It's small, light weight, easy to hide, and shoots nice. It comes with one 7 round magazine. The Smith & Wesson SD9VE is a nice shooter. The trigger pull is a bit long, but it shoots where you want it too. It's bigger than the LC9, it's about the same size and weight as a Glock 19. The S&W SDVE also comes in a .40 cal. Around here the SD9VE comes with two 16 round mags. I imagine in your state they will have two 10 round mags? I don't know the prices where you are at, but around here the Ruger LC9 runs $359-$379. The Smith & Wesson SD9VE runs $329-$349. Good luck in your search.

 

[Vanquished]

Thanks for your help!
Legislation right now limits it to 10 rounds but their governor here just proposed a 7 round limit (won't affect most 6+1 compacts though I guess) but yea, as of now all fullsize come with a 10 round. I think I'll take a look at the LC9 (if I can find it) since I think it's a bit smaller than the SD9VE. I was also looking at a S & W Bodyguard 380 and but I was hesitant because its a .380 ACP round, that is more expensive than the .40 round correct? I will probably utilize an ankle holster or pocket carry for most of the time I carry since I usually where thin golf shirts without a jacket so I want the gun to be small enough to fully.
Thanks again!
-Vanq

 

[Danmc]

.380 ACP round, that is more expensive than the .40 round correct?

Around here, the plinking ammo for .380 vs .40 runs pretty close to the same price. One thing I found interesting, is when the ammo buying frenzy began a couple weeks ago, you could find as much .40 cal as you wanted all day long, but .380, 9mm and .22LR was(and still is) scarce.

 

[steppy]

be sure to check out the poll 'what do you carry' to see the most popular choices

 

[cluznar]

You might check out the Bersa Thunder .380 and also the Bersa BP9cc 9mm both are very good carry guns which will fit your price range.

Maybe look at the Ruger P95 9mm which is a very good gun for about $340

Another great carry gun is the Ruger SR9c and also the S&W MP9c.

:triniti:

 

[Vanquished]

Having virtually no choice since every other gun in the same size and price range was out of stock I decided to get the S&W Bodyguard 380. I like the way it feels and its size will be perfect for concealed carry, disappointed that its a .380 round for price reasons but whatever... I have to say I am very disappointed in the selection/availability of any concealable guns in MA. I went to 3 stores and short of spending $600 this bodyguard was the only one in stock... I'm not sure who is buying full length revolvers in MA but all the stores had tons of those... If you're wondering the 3 stores I went to were Bass Pro Shops, North East Trading, and Four Seasons. Bass Pro had no compacts or pistols sub $900 (but again tons of revolvers), Northeast had a couple guns but none in stock, and Four Seasons had a few used compacts and new in the $600 range as well as the bodyguard (which I bought). I was looking at the MP Shield but there is apparently a 4 month waiting list... I paid $390 for my Bodyguard 380.
Thanks for the help everyone! If they had had any of your suggestions I would have picked them but like I said...

Thanks again,
-Vanq

 

[oldwindways]

Vanquished,

My recommendation would be to head up to the Manchester Firing Line where you can rent a couple of candidate pistols and test fire them to see how they feel in your hand. Then you can try to hunt down an available one.

I was in Four Seasons for ammunition this afternoon, and while they still have pistols, the shelves were showing maybe 20% of their normal stock levels and they had no shortage of buyers lining up. You may have to shop around a little to find your preferred pistol.

 

[Vanquished]

Vanquished,

My recommendation would be to head up to the Manchester Firing Line where you can rent a couple of candidate pistols and test fire them to see how they feel in your hand. Then you can try to hunt down an available one.



I was in Four Seasons for ammunition this afternoon, and while they still have pistols, the shelves were showing maybe 20% of their normal stock levels and they had no shortage of buyers lining up. You may have to shop around a little to find your preferred pistol.

Haha we were probably there at the same time then. I went in this afternoon and just grabbed the Bodyguard 380 since that was all they had in stock in my price range. Place was packed, though from reviews it seems it might always be packed.

 

[kerb]

I am playing it safe and taking up archery. Gonna be a ***** to conceal though.

 

[Danmc]

Having virtually no choice since every other gun in the same size and price range was out of stock

That little Bodyguard .380 should be a nice gun for you. The big box stores here are pretty much wiped out of hand guns and ammo. However, I went to 3 ma & pa gun shops today, and they had just about any hand gun a guy would want. Prices were a little higher than the box stores, but I think I am going to start doing my business with the home-growns, even if I have to spend a bit more.

 

[Vanquished]

I don't even have any big box stores around here apparently. Bass Pro shops is about it and it had no selection. No Cabellas or anything Apparently though, according to the place I got mine today I can buy guns online and have it shipped to an FFL in MA, as well as buy ammo online. Although I could have sworn that Buds says I can't but whatever.

 

[kerb]

I don't even have any big box stores around here apparently. Bass Pro shops is about it and it had no selection. No Cabellas or anything Apparently though, according to the place I got mine today I can buy guns online and have it shipped to an FFL in MA, as well as buy ammo online. Although I could have sworn that Buds says I can't but whatever.

I wouldn't buy a gun from Buds. Or anyplace else that I couldn't return a weapon if it wasn't right. Heard some real horror stories about bud's though.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

 

[Vanquished]

I bought my PT100 from Buds (shipped to Clemson, SC) and its been very good. No problems at, cycled 750 rounds so far and no jams or misfires (I do clean it regularly though). I wouldn't worry too much about returning it because I see a lot of brick n mortar stores that have adopted a no returns policy. I guess they want you to go to the manufacturer if you have a problem?

 

[2stack]

I would have recommended the Kahr CM9. It's a small reliable 9MM that sells for just under $400 around here.

 

[oldwindways]

Apparently though, according to the place I got mine today I can buy guns online and have it shipped to an FFL in MA, as well as buy ammo online.

I am not a lawyer, but here goes my experience. It is legal to ship ammo to MA, but the Attorney General was harassing many of the retailers and threatening law suits, so most of them will not do it. If you ask online who will ship to you, most people with think you are a snitch, they only pass that kind of info on to folks they know and trust in real life. As for shipping guns to MA, you can have a dealer ship to a FFL in MA and IF the gun is Mass legal, then the FFL can transfer it to you (for a fee, usually around $40). If the gun requires some modifications (like pinning a stock or welding a muzzle break on a rifle), make sure the dealer you have it shipped to can do the work. As far as I know, Four Seasons does not do any gunsmithing beyond perhaps installing night sights.

 

[cluznar]

Personally I feel everyone should have at least 3 carry guns, to fit different occasions. I have four and find that one or two will work well anytime I carry. So don't limit yourself to one carry gun.

:dirol:

 

[no sheep]

Personally I feel everyone should have at least 3 carry guns, to fit different occasions. I have four and find that one or two will work well anytime I carry. So don't limit yourself to one carry gun.

:dirol:

I have 3 now and it is almost the perfect system lcp (pocket) lc9 (pocket/IWB) glock 23 (iwb) heavy clothing.

 

[the dark]

I have 3 now and it is almost the perfect system lcp (pocket) lc9 (pocket/IWB) glock 23 (iwb) heavy clothing.

Taurus TCP, G26, G19. Haven't ever tried carrying my G17 (concealed that is).

 

[dgifted]

I carry these two, both 9mm, and have not had any failures so far: Ruger LC9 is nice if you don't mind a thumb safety and magazine disconnect. It's small, light weight, easy to hide, and shoots nice. It comes with one 7 round magazine. The Smith & Wesson SD9VE is a nice shooter. The trigger pull is a bit long, but it shoots where you want it too. It's bigger than the LC9, it's about the same size and weight as a Glock 19. The S&W SDVE also comes in a .40 cal. Around here the SD9VE comes with two 16 round mags. I imagine in your state they will have two 10 round mags? I don't know the prices where you are at, but around here the Ruger LC9 runs $359-$379. The Smith & Wesson SD9VE runs $329-$349. Good luck in your search.

I have the LC9 now and love it. I have it as my CC backup (in a pocket holster) to an SR40C. I had an SD9VE earlier and liked it. My only complaint was the long trigger pull and probably 8-9 lbs pull. I definitely recommend the LC9.